A Unique Portuguese Wheel-lock Pistol, ca. 1580, Hermitage Museum St. Petersburg

Anandalal N. · 6th January 2011, 04:16 PM

Dear Michael,

Thank you for posting this. I wonder if we have any possibility of getting better images of the carving. It has been suggested to me by one authority on the subject that the early ivory carved butts in Dutch firearms appear only subsequent to the Dutch arrival in Ceylon. Now you have posted a Portuguese one which as you have indicated has managed to remain hidden until you discovered it. You may also have seen the fabulous carved Ivory boxes from Ceylon in Dutch and Portuguese Museums.

Any idea where this item is presently housed? As you know in the 1930s and also during the II World War; the Hermitage Collections were disturbed.

Regards.

6th January 2011, 04:16 PM	#5
Anandalal N. Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 84	Dear Michael, Thank you for posting this. I wonder if we have any possibility of getting better images of the carving. It has been suggested to me by one authority on the subject that the early ivory carved butts in Dutch firearms appear only subsequent to the Dutch arrival in Ceylon. Now you have posted a Portuguese one which as you have indicated has managed to remain hidden until you discovered it. You may also have seen the fabulous carved Ivory boxes from Ceylon in Dutch and Portuguese Museums. Any idea where this item is presently housed? As you know in the 1930s and also during the II World War; the Hermitage Collections were disturbed. Regards.